I would also look at the availability of public water and public sewer, if not at the site how far away are those services.

I used to live in the city and the taxes and water bills are nightmares.

Think on it, how much does $250mnth buy for a furnace, a/c, water heater, carpets, really any reno at all?

The ONLY reason why it looks like SEO is competing for that minuscule amount is because SEO is the only strategy that GETS/TARGETS that minuscule amount (which is what you want).When you send out DMM cold calling and texting, you are targeting the entire population so you THINK you have a large audience, but no no NO!

Also use a infrared thermometer to find the cold walls and insulate accordingly. 

Are you in a market where water lines could freeze in the winter if there’s no heat?

Quote from @Aaron Wolman: I would call the companies (gas/water/electric) to get estimates, or an estimator out there.

In Milwaukee the weather can get pretty cold and we want to protect the tenant, but also the pipes in the property from freezing.For that reason we do have a stockpile of emergency equipment which includes electric space heaters.

hi all i am a new landlord and got my first rental property. tenants moved in in September and October. the first month was fine but when December hit it got extremely cold and the heating is electric. due to poor insulation in the home that we did not know about the heat has to be turned very high up to keep the home warm, however since everything is electric it is causing the electric bill to be $800. the utilities are the tenants responsibility. however because of this one of the tenants has been extremely non compliant with paying rent.

The only thing that sounds out of the ordinary here is the water bill